Have You Ever Been Guilty of Facebook Fishing?

September 8, 2012 — 2 Comments

Have you ever gone Facebook fishing? You know… posting a status about something in your life that’s nigh on to crisis but stopping short of actually saying what’s wrong?

A few of my own Facebook friends come to mind immediately who do this, it seems, at least weekly. It’s been a closet pet peeve of mine until I was shown this User Card from someecards.com.

someecards.com - If you don't want to talk about it, don't post vague status updates on Facebook fishing for people to ask you what's wrong.

Card copy: If you don’t want to talk about it, don’t post vague status updates on Facebook fishing for people to ask you what’s wrong.

I thought it conveys the idea perfectly… what do you think? Do you have friends who go Facebook fishing?

Posted on September 8, 2012 In Miscellaneous , , ,
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  • Jacold

    I have seen this too, sometimes they are fishing, sometimes the answers are still vague. I think then they are choosing to speak to some of us and shutting others out. Kind of like whispering in a group, effectively shutting everyone else in the room out. I think it is rude and sometimes I’m tempted to reveal the truth to those that have asked what’s up and they’ve been shut down. But I don’t, that would be rude too! Private notes should be utilized then, instead of shutting others out. It is a public forum we Choose to use, not obligated to!

    • http://www.charlielyons.ca/ Charlie Lyons

      Right, Jacquie… I agree. Social media is often likened to a dinner party. What’s said online is really meant to be for everyone present. Whispering in a group is not polite at a dinner party; why is it acceptable online. If you have something to say to only one person, a private message is the way to go (i.e. going to another room in the dinner party context).

      Thanks for your comment.